Oroville City Council agrees to negotiate State Theatre management with local theater guild

Oroville >> After more than an hour of discussion Tuesday night, three dozen State Theatre Arts Guild supporters left City Council Chambers with wide grins and happy voices after the Oroville City Council agreed to negotiate with the group to manage the city landmark.

When the meeting began, future management of the city-owned theater was uncertain.

It came down to the intrinsic value the State Theatre holds for individuals and the community, according to comments by both the audience and councilors.

The supporters were there because recent bid for proposals to operate and manage the facility were received.

Community Development Director Don Rust had asked the Council to reject two proposals, one from Oroville resident Celia Hirschman and one from the State Theater Arts Guild, or STAGE.

Rust noted in a memo to the council that neither proposal fully met the needs of the city, which is reportedly losing money on the theater.

Mayor Linda Dahlmeier moved discussion of the request for proposal update to earlier in the meeting.

She introduced the item by stating that many of the councilors had received emails and phone calls about Rust's recommendation to reject the two proposals received.

Dahlmeier said she reread the request, which gives the city several options to clarify responses and to negotiate.

"This is not a light bulb, it's not a road, it's not something black and white," Dahlmeier said. "It has heart to it... It's not a park, not a museum. It's a living, breathing building that takes a lot of people with heart and soul to take care of it."

Although the mayor said the city can't afford to continue operating the State Theatre at a loss, she added that it was her hope to get together and come up with a solution.

Councilor Gordon Andoe commended STAGE on the proposal it submitted, but he emphasized the cost of operating the facility.

"There's a lot of unknowns as to what we can do with this or what we can generate by way of income...," Andoe said. "My suggestion is, I think the city needs to count the cost, look at the budgetary standpoint and see what the city could absorb."

Nine people from the audience addressed the council, with several asking for a chance to manage the State.

The State Theatre Arts Guild hired a consultant to help put the proposal together. President Jim Moll said in the past, the group hadn't been asked to do anything other than be a casual participant.

"But it would be a mistake to think we didn't have compassion or commitment," Moll said.

Although the guild did take a casual approach in the past, it has recently restructured its board, added a marketing director, and has strengthened volunteer recruitment.

Sharon Wedin talked about the Oroville Community Concert Band and how some groups have been concerned about planning activities because of uncertainty over the theater's future.

"It's important for us to have some direction," she said. "Most of the year we need an indoor place (to perform). Without the theater, we have no place."

Jim Christiansen told the council about a critical time in 1992 when the community band first started and raised money to keep the State Theatre open. He also mentioned donations made because people want a performing arts center in Oroville.

"The theater is woven into the fabric of this community," he said.

Christiansen added the city has had stewardship of the State Theatre, but hasn't always had the knowledge and expertise to run it successfully.

"Maybe it's time to allow those who care do it," he said.

After the last audience comment, City Administrator Randy Murphy later voiced appreciation for the supporters' enthusiasm, but noted that the city cannot continue to operate the theater at a loss, and that increasing fees doesn't cover the electric bills for events. He was willing to negotiate.

Eventually, Councilor J.R. Simpson moved to negotiate with the State Theatre Arts Guild. Dahlmeier started to say the item was on the agenda for direction, but attorney Scott Huber told the council they had to vote on whether to accept or reject the proposals that were submitted.

Huber said they could reject the proposal and then direct staff to negotiate with the guild.